WANT TO HAVE FUN AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE?: GETTING INVOLVED

· Freshman Focus Council
· Student Government
· Organizations
· Greek Life
· Academic and Professional Greek Organizations and Honor Socieities
· Carolina Leadership Development

Freshman Focus Council

The Freshman Focus Council was founded in 1997 to help the Executive Branch of the Student Government accomplish its goal of representing all students. The FFC represents freshmen in Student Government as most elected positions and appointments are filled before freshmen arrive here. Ten diverse freshmen and an advisor are appointed to accomplish objectives that represent the freshman class as best as possible. The FFC works to enhance the freshman experience at Carolina while offering freshman opinions to Student Government, university committees, and the administration. Each council member works diligently on FFC projects and serves on one of the committees of the Student Government and external committees to provide freshman input.

The mission of the Freshman Focus Council is to bring freshman issues to the Student Government and to bring campus issues to the freshman class. This mission is reiterated throughout the dealings of the FFC, and all decisions go along with the mission.

We are seeking applications for the 2004-2005 FFC. If you have any questions, email jafriedm@gmail.com and check out the About FFC section of the website.

Applications are also open for other positions in the Executive Branch. You can apply to be on a cabinet committee (Due Sept. 9) or to be an external appointment (Due Sept. 9).

Student Government

Student Government offers many opportunities for students to get involved.

The Executive Branch was created to serve as the representative voice of the students to the administration. It consists of an elected Student Body President, who appoints a Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. People are appointed to assist the officers, and there are various committees including Academic Affairs, Minority Affairs, Public Service, and Information Technology through which students can get involve and take an active role in the life of their university community! The Executive Branch is located in Suite 2501 in the Student Union Expansion. You can reach the Executive Branch by emailing studentgovt@unc.edu or calling 962-5201.

In addition, the Office of the Student Body Vice President coordinates external appointments, opportunities for students to serve on University-wide committees such as the New Student Services Coordinating Committee, the Chancellor’s Awards Committee, and the Union Board of Directors. There are over 100 external appointments. External Appointments

As the legislative branch of Student Government, Student Congress seeks to serve as the voice of the student body, by delegating and amending laws pertaining to the university and its constituents. Student Congress also takes an active role in preserving the relationships between students and administration, furthering the success of the university and the communication among all take part in upholding the pride and legacy of this institution. To learn more about Student Congress and ways to become involved within Student Government at Carolina you can stop by the Congress Office which is located in Room 2501E of the Student Union Expansion. All interested students are also encouraged to attend the regularly held sessions or watch via Student Television.

The Student Government website can give you more information.

Organizations

Dive into the student life here at Carolina. There are so many organizations that most people are really surprised. Search the Student Organization database to find an organization that interests you. You can search by name, acronym, and even category of interest. If you need further help, contact Jon Curtis at jon@email.unc.edu.

Sharon says: “One of the beautiful aspects of Carolina is the opportunity to join all kinds of on-campus and off-campus clubs and programs. Through the campus Y, I am able to mentor a Little Buddy from a local elementary school, and got to attend Freshman Camp. I have also been involved in fun things through Student Government, Hillel, and Greek Life. Freshman year is a fabulous chance to get involved in absolutely everything that interest you and I recommend you take full advantage of it!”

We’d like to spotlight a few of the organization that make a big impact on the Carolina community. Check out the sites for the following:

Volunteering
· Campus Y
· APPLES Service Learning
· Carolina HEELs

The Arts
· Modern Extension
· Clef Hangers
· Lighter Shade of Blue

Ethnic and Cultural
· SANGAM
· Black Student Movement
· UNC Arab Club

Religious
· NC Hillel
· Campus Crossroads
· Newman Catholic Center Student Parish

Publications and Media
· The Daily Tar Heel
· Blue & White
· WXYC

Special Interest
· Carolina Fever
· Carolina BBQ Society
· Carolina Environmental Student Alliance

Greek Life

No, this section isn’t a collection of reports about the Greece; it is all about the fraternities and sororities at UNC. Greek Life can be a great experience.

Derwin says: “Joining a fraternity has proven to be one of the best experiences of my life. I was an only child, but I now have around 70 brothers here at UNC and many worldwide through Chi Psi. I’m so happy to have a network of guys who look out for me and make sure I’m excelling academically, serving the student body, and having fun.”

Joining a fraternity or sorority at UNC is a popular option for many students. 17% of Carolina undergraduate students are members of fraternities & sororities. At Carolina, students have the option of joining different types of Greek groups:

· Interfraternity Council (IFC) fraternities consist of 22 men's organizations typically with privately-owned houses in Chapel Hill that recruit within the first 2 weeks of each semester.

· Panhellenic Council sororities consist of 10 women's organizations all with privately-owned houses in Chapel Hill and all of whom recruit the first 2 weeks of Fall semester with a limited informal recruitment in January.

· National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) fraternities and sororities are the historically African American organizations that each recruit at separate times during the year.

· The Greek Alliance Council comprises many of our religious and cultural fraternities and sororities, who also recruit at various times of the year.

IFC and Panhellenic Council organizations’ intake process is called “rush,” and it is one of the busiest times of the year.

To join a Greek organization, check out the Office of Greek Affairs.

Academic and Professional Greek Organizations and Honor Societies

Carolina offers many professional and academic Greek Organizations and honor socieities. Check out the listing we have below, and ask your department if we are missing some. For more information, look the organization up on the Student Organization database.

· Phi Mu Epsilon - Mathematics
· Phi Alpha Delta – Pre-Law Fraternity
· Phi Sigma Tau – Philosophy
· Kappa Psi – Pharmacy
· Alpha Epsilon Delta – Pre-Health
· Alpha Kappa Psi – Business
· Sigma Alpha Iota – Music
· Phi Mu Alpha – Music
· Psi Chi – Psychology
· Phi Sigma Pi – National Honor Fraternity

Carolina Leadership Development
Want to strengthen those leadership muscles? Carolina Leadership Development offers programs such as Emerging Leaders, NC Fellows, and Womentering. It also offers consulting services and a leadership library. Check out leadership.unc.edu.